Given the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities have had severe changes in curriculum and student life. These changes have affected students, professors, campus officials, and university communities at large. Students have been forced to change their living circumstances, and because of this, cannot and should not be held to the same academic standards as before. I, myself, have lost two jobs, have to travel 1,300 miles back home, make adjustments to how I will tune into classes,  and figure out moving my dorm in a timely manner.

       My situation does not even come close to what many students are facing right now- economic, social, familial, and living issues that are too strenuous to deal with, alongside school work. I know many students who do not have the same internet access as others and this is only creating a bigger disparity among the student body. I am making this petition to motivate the higher education board of Drew University to end on-line classes earlier (not the adjusted June end date), and grade students on a pass-fail basis, to ease the stress of harsh grading.

 What a pass/fail means:

    Usually, courses are graded on a scale of A, B, C, D, or F. However, when you take a course as a pass/fail, your final grade is one of two options: P or F. A pass/fail does not change your gpa in the same ways a number system do. Seeing as to how some universities ended classes all-together, this seems to be a more viable option than being graded on a number system. Internships and jobs will understand the circumstances of this time and will take that into account when reading your transcripts. This will not negatively affect you.

     I know of many professors who are willing to cooperate with us during this hard time and for that, we thank them. Doing this is not an exemption from learning, but an understanding that we have many other pressures to deal with at this point in time.

Thank You

Michelle

Class of 2021